Nigeria Deforestation: Boki Indigenous Women Denounce Illegal Logging in Cross River Reserve (French)

In the Cross River State rainforest, an average of 250 tons of timber is harvested daily; in 10 days, 2,500 tons are lost and in one year 91,250 tons of timber leave the state

In the Cross River State rainforest, an average of 250 tons of wood is harvested daily; in 10 days, 2,500 tons are lost and in one year 91,250 tons of wood leave the state. As a result of deforestation, small trees and other forest products are destroyed.

Because illegal logging impacts the local economy for women and results in the loss of forest products and medicinal plants, the Banyiyi Boki Women's Group is speaking out against illegal loggers who destroy the rainforest.

Illegal loggers pile wood along the road and cover it with grass, trying to hide their illegal activity. But the communities in the forests have been massively dislocated and their landmass completely eroded, resulting in huge environmental challenges with long-term consequences.

Another Boki member, Theresa Abang, a business owner, lamented how illegal loggers spoil their crops in the name of money. She said, "They cut down trees that destroy yams and crops; spoil cocoa, plantain, bananas and everything else that is planted. If loggers enter our farms, they will destroy the yams; instead of thanking the farm owner, they fight with the farmers."